More than 100 employees from Bayada Nurses rallied today at the state Capitol to educate legislators about how home health care improves people’s quality of life, and helps contain the cost of health care in Pennsylvania, as part of the 3rd Annual Bayada Nurses Day Celebration in Harrisburg.

“More than 3,300 Bayada nurses and home health aides now provide vital, in-home care which allows 4,700 Pennsylvanians to stay where they want to be, in their homes,” said Mark Baiada, founder and president of Bayada Nurses.  “For the dignity and quality of life of these people, we must make sure in-home care remains a viable, accessible, and growing part of the long-term care system in Pennsylvania.” 

Secretary of Aging John Michael Hall attended the rally, along with state senators Patricia Vance /(R) Cumberland County, and Kim Ward/(R) Westmoreland County. Bayada clients also joined the rally to urge continued state support for in-home care.

“Home health care significantly improves the quality of life of the clients, keeps more people employed in the health care industry, and saves taxpayers money, “  said Anita Weinberg, director of PA government affairs. “We look forward to continuing our work with the Department of Aging and the legislature to make home care more accessible to Pennsylvanians who need it.” 

She noted current figures showing:

• The average annual cost to care for someone in a nursing home in Pennsylvania is $62,640. 
• The average annual cost for someone care through the Aging Waiver Program is $20,148. 

Lisa and Paul McGahren of Lancaster County received in-home care for their son, Myles, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in utero, for most of Myles’ three-and-a-half year life.

“Thank God Bayada was introduced to our lives,” Paul McGahren said.  “We spent time enjoying Myles instead of having to focus on the care.”

“Our home life survived because of the home health care Myles got,” said Lisa McGahren.  “His siblings knew him as a regular brother.” 

Founded in 1975, Bayada Nurses provides nursing, rehabilitative, therapeutic, and personal home health care services to children, adults, and seniors in the comfort of their own homes. Over 12,000 nurses, home health aides, and therapists work from more than 170 offices in 18 states. For more information, visit www.bayada.com or www.youtube.com/bayadanurses.